Tale of the Tape: The Pirates and Panthers renew an 85-year old rivalry Friday. The two neighboring schools have met 60 times with Rockport-Fulton owning a 32-27-1 lead in the all-time series. The schools were slated to square off in the season opener last year before Hurricane Harvey made landfall, forcing both schools to temporarily close and the season to be delayed. Despite the adversity, both the Pirates and Panthers rebounded to make the playoffs with Rockport-Fulton winning a bi-district game.

Buy Photo

Aransas Pass quarterbacks and running backs run plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. (Photo: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times, )

What to Watch For: Rockport-Fulton's speedy running back Chase Rios topped 1,000 yards last year and returns as one of nine offensive starters for Jay Seibert's team. Garrett Loudermilk also brings athleticism to the quarterback position in the Pirates' Slot-T, while Tannor Waggoner is a difference-maker for the R-F defense. The Panthers have 17 returning starters, including towering 6-foot-7 offensive lineman Cadyn Craven, along with several skill position stars returning, among them Weston Pope and Christian St. Romain. Freshman Charlie Castillo is considered a top newcomer for AP and is expected to play quarterback for Ryan Knostman's team.

Calallen head coach Phil Danaher talks to his players before their scrimmage against Ray at Wildcat Stadium on Friday, Aug, 24, 2018.(Photo: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times, )

THIS WEEK'S CLASS 5A GAMES

BEEVILLE AT KING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Buc Stadium

Records: Season opener for both teams

Live coverage: Twitter — Quinton Martinez (@qmartinez)

What you need to know: The Trojans and Mustangs come into the season with new quarterbacks at the helm. Seth Gomez takes over full time at Beeville, while sophomore Benjamin Stewart is slated to start at King. Eddie Hesseltine said the Mustangs will be young again, and behind an explosive offense, Beeville has high hopes for a postseason berth.

MOODY AT SA SOUTHSIDE

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Southside ISD Stadium, 1460 Martinez-Losoya Road, San Antonio

Records: Season opener for both teams

Radio: KMHB-FM 105.5

What you need to know: The Trojans fell one win shy of snapping the city's longest playoff drought last year and have a talented trio in the backfield in D'Andre Cage, Dajon Moore and QB D'Artagnan Padron. The Trojans got off to a fast start last season and will look to do the same in San Antonio.

SA EAST CENTRAL AT RAY

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Cabaniss Multipurpose Stadium

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: The Texans have the potential to be exciting on offense behind third-year starter Brad Breckenridge at quarterback, a veteran offensive line and several skill position returnees. Ray has lost in the InterZone playoffs in the last two seasons and is looking to take the next step in 2018.

PSJA AT FLOUR BLUFF

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hornet Stadium

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: Flour Bluff lost out on a season opener in 2017 due to Hurricane Harvey and will host a Rio Grande Valley foe this season. The Hornets have stellar pieces on defense including Kadon Luke and Kenny Whitehurst in the secondary and Javaris Lawson at linebacker. With Calallen on tap next week, the Hornets are looking to start the season fast.

LAREDO ALEXANDER AT ALICE

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Alice Memorial Stadium

Records: Season opener for both teams

Radio: KOPY-FM 92.1

What you need to know: The Coyotes have stability at head coach for the first time in three years as Kyle Atwood returns for Year 2. Alice surprised last season, but lost a large senior class. The Coyotes got stronger as the season progressed last fall and will be breaking in a new QB after the graduation of Trey Jaramillo, who helped take Alice to the regional semifinals

SAN BENITO AT CALALLEN

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Phil Danaher Field at Wildcat Stadium

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: The Wildcats open the season with San Benito after kicking the season off against Mercedes for six years. Calallen suffered heavy graduation losses on both sides of the ball, but return the second-leading rusher in school history in senior Alec Brown. The Wildcats, now in Class 5A Division II, have district-title aspirations once again.

KINGSVILLE AT TULOSO-MIDWAY

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Warrior Stadium

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: The Warriors are a veteran bunch in Wade Miller's second season, including returning quarterback Ben Hovda. T-M, like Calallen, is now in Division II, which pits them against schools with more comparable size than the last two seasons in the former 11-team District 30-5A. T-M will look to start the season with positive momentum at home.

Buy Photo

Flour Bluff football team goes through drills during practice on Wednesday , August 15, 2018 at Flour Bluff High School. (Photo: Casey Jackson/Caller-Times, )

THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH IN WEEK 1

How new players will fit in

A handful of players have transferred to new teams and after two scrimmages, the season openers will offer a chance to see how coaches will use them this season. By the end of this week, we will know plenty about how those new players will fit into their teams.

The day is finally here in Premont

The Premont football team will make its return to varsity competition on its new stadium, which is sure to be a celebration for the community and the school district. Seven years after the district dropped football to focus on academics, the community and school is beginning to feel like they’ve come full circle.

How good is John Paul II?

The Centurions open with Class 3A team Taft on their home turf with much of its coaching staff intact. John Paul II is on a quest to return to the playoffs and win a few games.

Buy Photo

Orange Grove's Coleman King throws the ball during football team practices on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Orange Grove High School. (Photo: Casey Jackson/Caller-Times, )

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

RB Shenandoah Price, Calallen — The senior will be a nice complement to A.J. Brown in the backfield for the Wildcats.

QB Dakota Wallek, George West — Wallek threw for 2,134 yards and 23 TDs last season and has a chance to showcase his talent against a solid Orange Grove squad.

QB Coleman King, Orange Grove — King is a dual threat that can give defenses fits and will be making his first start in coach Mark DelPercio’s offense.

QB Jordan Kelley, Refugio — Kelley, the younger brother of Jared Kelley, will make his Bobcat debut in a new offensive scheme that is option-based and could showcase his talents running and passing.

QB-LB Tevin Moreno, Odem — The multi-talented Moreno will play quarterback and linebacker, and may not leave the field much against West Oso.

Buy Photo

Refugio prepares for the upcoming football season at Bobcat Stadium on Thursday, August 9, 2018.(Photo: Casey Jackson/Caller-Times, )

THREE AREA GAMES TO WATCH

ORANGE GROVE AT GEORGE WEST

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Longhorn Stadium, George West

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: This is arguably one of the best small-school matchups south of San Antonio, which features two playoff teams and two high-powered offenses. Legendary Delaware coach Mark DelPercio makes his Texas debut as a head coach in as tough a season opener as he could get. QBColeman King leads the Bulldogs offensively, and QB Dakota Wallek leads the Longhorns. Get the popcorn ready, this one could be an entertaining game.

TIDEHAVEN AT REFUGIO

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Jack Sportman Bobcat Stadium, Refugio

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: Hang on folks, the “Flexcat” will make its debut on Refugio’s home turf facing off against a solid Tidehaven team. This game was moved to Refugio a few weeks ago because of field issues at Tidehaven’s stadium. DLArmonie Brown leads a stout Refugio defense and LB Kameron Green leads the Tigers’ defense. This is a solid season-opening test for both teams and one that’s worth the price of admission.

WEST OSO AT ODEM

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Owl Stadium, Odem

Records: Season opener for both teams

What you need to know: Two teams that are looking to prove something as some key losses to graduation will significantly change their lineups. Odem’s Tevin Moreno will move to quarterback, while also manning the linebacker position. At West Oso, Pete Guajardo enters his second year with do everything Craig Clemons a key piece on both sides of the ball.

Aransas Pass quarterbacks and running backs run plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass players goof around in the locker room before practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

An Aransas Pass player cools down in front of a fan in the teams locker room before practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass runs plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

An Aransas Pass player fixes his helmet on the sidelines during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass quarterbacks and running backs run plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass head coach Ryan Knostman during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass receivers take a break during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass head coach Ryan Knostman walks his team thorough a play during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass runs plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass players take a water break plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

An Aransas Pass players run on the field down in front of a fan in the teams locker room before practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

An Aransas Pass player walks pass a bulletin board in the teams field house with information on the first team they will play for the year Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass runs plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass quarterbacks and running backs run plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,

Aransas Pass quarterbacks and running backs run plays during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 ahead of Fridays game against Rockport-Fulton. In 2017 Aransas Pass and Rockport-Fulton's game was canceled do to Hurricane Harvey. Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times,